A WITNESS in a crown court murder trial described how he saw a man's head 'explode' as he was run over in an altercation with another driver on Manchester Road.

The murder trial of Mark Slater, aged 47, from Oldham, started this afternoon, Monday, at Chester Crown Court.

The family of Trevor Allen wept in court as a phone call to emergency services made at the scene was played out detailing how one witness said he could not see the victim's head.

Outlining the case Ian Unsworth QC told how Mr Allen and Slater had appeared to be involved in an argument as they travelled from Hollins Green towards junction 21 of the M6 at around 8am on February 15.

According to witnesses the pair had overtaken each other until Mr Allen stopped his Citroen Belingo in front of the DAF lorry driven by the defendant.

Mr Allen got out and was stood with his arms up while wearing a high vis jacket before being hit by Slater's vehicle.

Slater denies murder and said it was an accident as he had not seen Mr Allen get out of the vehicle.